I Adore Wall Hanging Tutorial by Guest Artist Kristen Robinson

It’s no secret that I adore Kristen Robinson’s eye-catching jewelry designs, so you can imagine how giddy I felt inviting her to share a new project with all of us. Please join me in welcoming Kristen Robinson to Somerset Place, and follow along as she shares a clever way to use bezels with this creative and functional wall hanging project (that you can use in any season!)

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I simply adore creating with jewelry findings in a very non-traditional manner. With a plethora of bezels and chains sitting before me from my Rue Romantique line, my imagination ran wild.

Reigning in my thoughts a bit, I became inspired to create a wall hanging that would not only be perfect for Valentine’s Day but year round. I like that this wall hanging is not only romantic but at the same time celebrates the love of family, friends and home. A perfect addition to the Valentine vignette nestled within our entryway, or any vignette no matter what time of year it might be.

Perhaps one of the best things about a project such as this is the ability to interject very personal styles and techniques. For me I am quite fond of embedding objects into flooded solder. From silver charms to rhinestones I cannot help but marvel at the magic that happens as the solder cocoons each bit and bauble. With a project such as this I find it the perfect opportunity to echo your creativity and style while celebrating all that you love.

~Kristen

Tools and Materials

• 3 Bezels – Rue Romantique
• 1 Rue Romantique Stamping
• Ribbon – Rue Romantique
• Rosary Chain – Rue Romantique
• Rhinestones – Rue Romantique
• Flux
• Chemical Safe Brush
• Lead Free Solder
• Butane Torch (I prefer the kitchen variety)
• Rubber Stamp
• Silver Wire
• Beads
• Jump Rings
• Needle and Thread and or Sewing Machine
• Round Nose Pliers
• Drill and 1/16” Drill bit

 

I Adore Wall Hanging Tutorial

1. Apply a thin layer of flux to the interior of each bezel.

2. With butane torch heat solder and flood into bezel.

3. While solder is still warm place object to be nestled within solder.

4. With torch at least 4 inches away bring solder back up to heated stage until the object sinks into the solder. (This may not be needed depending on the state of the solder when placing object).

5. If stamping into solder, place stamp onto the molten solder and allow to cool prior to pulling stamp from metal.

6. Once the solder is cool, clean per the directions on the flux.

7. Into the metal stamping drill one hole on each side of the stamping as well as in the center. Repeat this on the ends of the stamping.

8. Determine the length that you wish the rosary chain to be for each small bezel. Open last link of chain with round nose pliers and attach to the bale of each bezel. Place adjacent link through the drilled hole on stamping and close. Repeat on remaining side.

9. To create the centerpiece cut a strip of velvet ribbon twice the length you desire and fold in half. Place the bale of the heart bezel onto the ribbon.

10. With needle and thread and or sewing machine stitch the center in a random manner, adding layers of ribbon if desired. Allow a loop to be left at the top of the ribbon.

11. Place one jump on the end of the velvet ribbon. If desired created a wrapped loop link here and attach to the center drilled hole. If choosing to not add a link place jump ring through drilled hole and close.

12. Adorn top of stamping with ribbon and rosary chain. Attaching both to the holes drilled on the end of the stamping.

 

Safety Precautions:

• Be sure to use non-plastic materials when flooding, as they will melt.
• An alternate method is to place the item you wish to cocoon in the flooded solder into the molten metal, just be very careful you do not burn yourself with the torch.
• When soldering do so in a well ventilated area.

About Kristen Robinson:

Kristen is a Director’s Circle Artist for Somerset Studio as well as a Bonnes Vivantes for Somerset Life. In addition, she is the creator of Rue Romantique and is currently penning her third book “Explore Mixed Media Collage: Innovative Layering Techniques.” To learn more about Kristen, visit: kristenrobinson.net

 

Thank you so much for joining us today Kristen! I can’t wait to recreate and incorporate personal touches into my own beautiful wall hanging project.

With Somerset Place Love,